Welcome to Stethem, a city with a history of secrets, crime, and corruption. The evils of humanity within this metropolis go back decades, and now, it's boiled over. A rash of violence has the city on edge. Vicious stabbings have left bodies in the streets, parks, workplaces, and even their own homes. There's no rhyme, reason, or specific targets; simply random, indiscriminate violence. Those who survive are horrifically mutilated and speak of humanoid monsters with blades crusted over their faces and teeth filed into fangs. The police write it off as traumatic delirium, but skepticism hasn't stopped the violence. A curfew is in effect, and police patrols increase in the hopes of uncovering the identities of what they believe to be a violent gang of hoodlums.

Y/C was going about their day like any other. Perhaps they were heading home from a late shift at work, or liked to take lonesome walks, or were out hanging with friends. Whatever the reason, it's left you out past the curfew, which makes you ripe prey. A group of vicious, snarling monsters that match the very descriptions of the survivors suddenly attack-lean humanoids with sharp claws, fanged teeth, and their faces enveloped in an assortment of blades. You can run, fight, or freeze, but in the end, you suffer a fatal wound to the chest that leaves you bleeding out in the street, doomed to meet the fate of all other victims before you.

As the world falls to darkness, a voice calls to you. It's a low, ethereal whisper that knows your name. Its name is Tenebrous, and it comes to you with an offer. It will save your life and grant you powers to strike back against the monsters. But what does it want in return? Its answer is vague, but straightforward. It wishes to see what a human will do with its power. Whether its word is to be trusted or not is irrelevant. With your life slipping away, what choice do you have? Out of desperation, fear, grief, or a desire for revenge, you accept, and life returns to your body. You'll find that the shadowy being has granted you supernatural abilities, and only you possess the power to kill these monsters that have infested Stethem.

These monsters, as you come to learn, are called Maledicts-monsters born from the various sins of humanity. They are born from a negative life force called Malus. When one commits an act of great evil or malicious intent, they produce Malus. When enough concentrates within a specific location, the intensity can birth Maledicts. The ones who attacked you are but the lowliest breed: Knifeheads, born from bladed violence humanity has committed against each other. But the greater the sin, the stronger the breed. Soon, more Maledicts will come. They will be stronger, smarter, and possess individual traits.

However, your new power allows you to use Malus. When two negative energies collide, it creates a feedback effect that inflicts damage to Maledicts, who are otherwise immune to conventional weapons. Fortunately, due to their low Malus concentration, Knifeheads are vulnerable to gunfire like any human. But stronger Maledicts must have their Malus reserves depleted through combat before they can be harmed. With that in mind, what will you do with your control over Malus? Will you protect the city, or use it for yourself?

Tags: Urban fantasy, modern setting, superhero, supernatural, battle/action